Nanjing Road is one of Shanghai’s most visited streets — but most visitors don’t realise they’re actually dealing with two very different experiences depending on which end they’re on.
Get that distinction right and you’ll have a much better time.
If you are exploring central Shanghai, Nanjing Road is easy to combine with several other top attractions in Shanghai including the Bund, Yu Garden and People’s Square.
Watch the 2-Day Shanghai Itinerary (Nanjing Road included)
Nanjing Road East is featured on Day 1, starting from the Bund and running through Shanghai’s main pedestrian shopping street.
The route continues on Day 2 into Jing’an, including Taikoo Hui, The Louis, the Starbucks Roastery, and Jing’an Temple.
West Nanjing Road (南京西路): Luxury, Malls and Local Life
West Nanjing Road runs from People’s Square westward through Jing’an district and is a very different beast from its eastern counterpart.
This is where Shanghai’s serious retail money lives. The street is lined with high-end malls — Plaza 66, CITIC Square, Jing’an Kerry Centre — stocking every luxury brand you’d expect. If you’re looking for tax-free shopping, this is the place to do it. Most major malls have tax refund desks and staff are well used to assisting overseas visitors.
Near the point where East becomes West, close to Tibet Road, look out for the Park Hotel (国际饭店) — for decades the tallest building in Shanghai, and the art deco facade is still worth a glance as you pass. Madame Tussauds is also here, a popular stop for families and first-time visitors.
Just off West Nanjing Road near People’s Square, Huanghe Road (黄河路) is a short street lined with local restaurants. The standout is Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家汤包), one of Shanghai’s most celebrated xiaolongbao spots — a no-frills local institution that consistently draws queues. See our Shanghai dumplings guide for more context.
Further along West Nanjing Road, Taikoo Hui has become one of Shanghai’s best modern lifestyle destinations, home to the Starbucks Roastery, The Louis and a huge range of cafés, restaurants and luxury retail.
It’s also home to Shanghai Center (上海商城), one of the city’s older expat landmarks. Worth a stop for a few reasons:
- Beef & Liberty a well-regarded burger spot, popular with expats and a genuinely lovely patio and recognised by Michelin
- Eli Falafel does Lebanese food including shawarma, a reliable and slightly unexpected find in central Shanghai
- Times Grocery in the basement is one of the better options for imported groceries in this part of the city — see our imported food guide for more context
At the western end of this stretch sits Jing’an Temple (静安寺) — a working Buddhist temple that makes for a striking contrast with the luxury malls surrounding it. Worth a visit even if temples aren’t usually your thing.
People’s Park (人民公园): The Green Heart of the City
Sitting right at the junction of East and West Nanjing Road, in Huangpu district, People’s Park is easy to overlook but worth knowing about.
It’s one of the more pleasant green spaces in central Shanghai — a genuine park rather than a manicured showpiece, popular with locals doing morning tai chi, elderly men playing chess, and families on weekends.
The park building houses two distinct venues. Upstairs, Barbarossa is a Moroccan-styled bar — a decent spot for a drink, especially on a warm evening. Downstairs, Ministry of Crab brings a Sri Lankan restaurant concept to an unlikely but memorable setting. The two operate separately and are worth knowing about in their own right.
The park is also known for its marriage market — on weekends, parents gather to advertise their unmarried children using handwritten cards and umbrellas. It’s not a tourist attraction as such, but it’s a fascinating slice of Shanghai social life if you happen to wander past.
East Nanjing Road (南京东路): Tourist Central — And That’s Fine
East Nanjing Road gets a bad reputation from locals and long-term expats, but for visitors it delivers exactly what it promises.
The eastern stretch is fully pedestrianised from People’s Square down to the waterfront. It’s busy, it’s loud, and in holiday seasons it’s extremely crowded — but it’s also genuinely lively and fun if you approach it with the right expectations.
You’ll find:
- Street snacks — scallion pancakes, skewers, egg tarts, all the classics
- Souvenir shops — magnets, fans, silk scarves, chopstick sets, the full range
- Neon signs and big-brand flagships — good for an evening walk when everything is lit up
- Department stores — including the famous No.1 Department Store, one of Shanghai’s oldest retail institutions
It’s not the best place in Shanghai for food or shopping, but it’s worth seeing for the atmosphere.
Where East Nanjing Road Ends: The Bund
The eastern end of Nanjing Road deposits you directly onto The Bund — Shanghai’s famous waterfront promenade facing Pudong across the river.
If you’re visiting East Nanjing Road, factor in time to walk the Bund. The two together make for a natural half-day itinerary.
Getting There and Around
Nanjing Road is well served by metro. The key stations are:
- People’s Square (Lines 1, 2, 8) — western gateway to East Nanjing Road
- Nanjing East Road (Lines 2, 10) — mid-point of the pedestrian stretch
- Nanjing West Road (Lines 2, 12, 13) — heart of the western luxury mall strip
- Jing’an Temple (Lines 2, 7, 14) — western end
See our getting around Shanghai guide for more on using the metro.
Where to Stay Near Nanjing Road
Several of Shanghai’s best-known hotels sit on or just off Nanjing Road — the Peninsula, the Fairmont Peace Hotel and the Waldorf Astoria are all at the Bund end, while the west end has options closer to Jing’an such as Swissotel, Shangri-La Jing’an and the Ritz-Carlton. See our Shanghai hotels guide for recommendations.
Tips Before You Go
- Go east in the evening — the neon and crowds are more enjoyable after dark
- Go west during the day for shopping — malls are quieter on weekday mornings
- Tax-free shopping requires your passport — carry it or a clear photo of the main page
- The pedestrian stretch gets very crowded during Labour Day and National Day holidays — budget extra time
- Queues at Jia Jia Tang Bao move quickly — don’t be put off by the line outside
- Avoid the touts — anyone approaching you offering watches, bags or “a tea ceremony” should be declined politely but firmly (or better still, just ignore them completely).
Planning the rest of your China trip?
I personally use Trip.com to compare hotels, high-speed train tickets, domestic flights, attractions and airport transfers across China, making it easy to organise your whole trip in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nanjing Road worth visiting?
Yes, but mainly for the atmosphere. East Nanjing Road is busy, bright and touristy, while West Nanjing Road offers a more modern, upscale experience with malls and cafés.
What is the difference between East and West Nanjing Road?
West Nanjing Road is known for luxury shopping, malls and a more relaxed feel. East Nanjing Road is a crowded pedestrian street with souvenir shops, street food and neon lights, leading to the Bund.
How long do you need on Nanjing Road?
Most visitors spend 1–2 hours walking part or all of the street. If you combine it with the Bund, allow around half a day.
Is Nanjing Road good for shopping?
West Nanjing Road is better for shopping, especially for malls and international brands. East Nanjing Road is more about souvenirs and the overall experience.
Explore more:
Taikoo Hui Mall | Jing’an District | Huangpu District | The Bund | Shanghai Tower | Yu Gardens | Where to Eat